Apparatus for bleaching fabric



Jan. 19, 1932. J. F. ODONOGHUE APPARATUS FOR BLEACHING FABRIC Filed Nov. 1, 1950 5 Shegts$he ll Illfllhllw... N j. umb

I N VEN TOR (Ema: Fmncis 000110771149 ATTORNEY.

Jan. 19, 1932. ODONOGHUE 1,842,363

APPARATUS FOR BLEACHING FABRIC Filed Nov. 1, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 l N VEN TOR. Fvncia flpanylme ATTORNEY.

Jan. 19, 1932- J. F. ODONOGHUE 1,342,363

APPARATUS FOR BLEACHING FABRIC Filed Nov. 1, 19:50 5 sheets-shee 3 g I \Z\\\ I I I 6 I N VEN TOR. (Ema; Fmnczl: 0202271110 ATTORNEY.

Jan. 19, 1932.

J. F. O'DONOGHUE I I APPARATUS FOR BLEAGHING FABRIC Filjed Nov. 1, 1930 5 Sheets-Shee 4 ATTORNEY.

Jan. 19, 1932,- J. F. ODONOGHUE 1,842,363

APPARATUS FQR BLEACHING FABRIC I Filed Nov. 1, 1950 5 Sheets-Shee 5 m a ate.

IN VEN TOR. .di mes Francis O'Danoylzue Y ATTORNEY.

a as

Patented Jan. 1 1932 p i mines ama otnonoenun; oF'LowELL, massacnusmgrs, Assmn'onro Boom MILLS,

, i A conronamou or nnssacnusmrs I m rin s non BLE'KCHING sam Application filed November 1, 1930. serial m.492,s14.

i This invention relates a to apparatus for bleaching fabric in full widthj, open form 10 means of which fabric maybe bleachedwithout stretching or distorting the same, whereby thefabricretainsits original shape during the treatment thereof, thereby eliminating the necessity oftentering'thefabric and further! eliminatin shrinkage of the fimsh'ed article. s

i A further object ofthe inventionistoprovide an apparatus of the character aforesaid the cast ofwhich is small incomparison with the usual bleaching'apparatusiw A 'further objectof the invention is toprojvide an apparatus for the purpose aforesaid,

by means ofwhich fabric may be completely apparatus, whereby the usual time "necessary for the complete treatment of the fabric may be materially reduced, and whereby relativetreatediatthe same ratio of expenseas larger qu tities. a

a With the foregoing and re; objects in view,the invention consists of the novelcone struction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more particularly described, and asillustrated in the accompany-1' ing'drawings wherein isshown an embody merit of the invention, but it is to be under stood that: the description and drawingsare to be taken as illustrative and that the invention is intended to be limited only by the scope of the claims hereunto appended parts throughoutthe several views Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus in; accordance with this invention; a a Figure 2 isa top plan thereof withfthe liquor supply itank removedr a v the probability-f of which requires aminimum of floor space,and

treated without removing the same'from the ward ends of the latter, are a pair of bearings Figure ,3 is an end elevation showing one of the fabric receiving vats 1n section.

a Figure 4 1s a longltudlnal vertical section through theapparatus with the liquor sup i ply tank and fabric receiving vats removed.

' Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation showing one of the automatic clutches employedin connection with the upper carrierrolls. a a

Figure 6 is a section taken on a line 66 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sec- M tional elevation showingone of the clutches employed in connection withthe guide rolls.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional-plan showing the three-way valve employed in the liquor conduit. 7

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numerall indicates a pair of upright supporting posts, uponthe upper ends of which are supported a pair of horizontal beams 52 extending in parallel relationa Extending bea tween the posts 1 and projecting beyond the ends of the beams 2 is a tank 3 which is provided centrally thereof with a transverse partition 4 by means of which the tank is j Clllldfld into a pair of fabric receiving vats 5 an s Mounted on the beams 2, centrally thereof, are a pair of slotted bearings 7 which support the shafts 8 and 9 for a pair of combined feed and squeeze rolls 10 and 11 res ,ectively. The Y shaft 8 is stationary except or its rotating movement, :Iwhile the shaft 9 is vertically movable inorder that the roll 11 may be adjusted withrespect to the roll 10; The shaft 9 is journaled at its ends in a pair of blocks 12 whichare vertically slidable within the slotted bearings 7. Extending upwardly from the blocks 12' are threaded rods 13 which are threaded through stationary blocks 14 at the upper; ends ofthe bearings 7, and which are a, rovided at thei 'xtrem u d 'th' In the accompanying drawings in which p r e e ppe'r en S W like numerals are employed to designate like hand wheels 15for'r0tatingthe same. Power is transmitted to the apparatus through the shaft 8 which isprovided at one end with a pulley 16 adapted to be engaged by any suit able reversible belt, not shown.

Mounted on thebeams 2, adjacent the forclutch indicated generally at 23'and including a disc 24 having a hub 25 slidably andnonrotatably mounted on the shaft,'the disc 24' further having a flange 26 formed adj acent the periphery thereof. Rotatably mounted onthe hub 25- is an actuating member 27 which is formedv with aconcentric projection 28 rotatably mounted on the shaft 18; Fixedly mounted on the projection 28. is a sprocket 29. The member 27 is formed in its peripheralface with a plurality of spaced notches '30 within each ofwhich is disposed a ball 31. The .walls of the notches 30 are inclined in such a manner thatthe balls 31 will be thrown outwardly against the inner face of the flange 26 upon the rotation of themember 27 in one direction in order that the disc 24 and shaft 18 may be rotat'ed-withthe mem ber 27 in such direction. Upon therotation of the member 27 in the-opposite direction, the balls 31 fall inwardly withinthe notches 30 in order that the member 27 may rotate independently of the disc 24 and shaft 18. The

member 27, disc 24 and shaft 18 willjbe rotated in unison upon the rotation of the member'27 in a counter-clockwise direction as vlewed in Figure 6.-

The shaft 21 is provided-with a clutch element 32 which will not be'specifically de-' scribed, the clutch element 32 being identical with the clutch element-23 except that the: walls of thenotches forming; a part of the clutch element 32 are oppositely inclined with.

respect tothe walls of the notches forming a part of the clutch element 23. The clutch:

element 32 includes 'a'sprocket '33 similar to the sprocket'29; v

Extending around the sp'rockets 29 and 33 is an endless chain 34 whichfurther extendsaround a sprocket 35 fixedly mounted on the power shaft 8. The chain'34further'passes over'a pair of idler sprockets36'and 37 5 respectively mounted" on brackets 38 and 39;

Upon the rotation of the chain 34 in a clock-' wise direction as viewed in Figure 1, the shaft 18 Wlll. be rotated by theclutch-element 23, and upon rotation of the chain 34- in a counter-clockwise direction asviewd in Figure 1, the shaft 21 will be rotated-by the clutch elements 32. r i

Mounted onthe beams 2 between thebearings 7 and 17 area pair-of bearings4O through which rotatably extends "a shaft 41 having a guide roller 42: rotatably mounted thereon. Rotatably: and non-slidably mount? is out ofehgagemeht witlrtheclutch face 44*,-

the'sprocket-43will be rotated independently of the shaft 41.,

' Mounted on the beams 2 between the bearlngs, and 20 are a. pair of bearings 47 through which rotatably extends a shaft 48 having a guide roller 49 rotatably mounted thereon; The shaft 48 isprovided with a sprocket 50: similar to the sprocket43, and

witha clutch member 51 similar to the clutch.

tends around a tension adjusting sprocket 56 on stub shaft 57 journaled in the same supporting postl. by means ofan endless chain 58 which @X:

tends around .a sprocket 59 onthe stub shaft 55, and further, extends :around a sprocket 60 on-the power shaft 8.. Ow'ing'to the operation of the chains58 and 53,, the sprockets 43 and 50 are rotated:simultaneouslyiwiththe power shaft 8. H l w Pivotally mounted on the shaft 18, adjacent the ends of the latter yare a pair of folding arms6l, each of which-is provided with a vertically slotted enlargement 62 adjacent itslower end. Journaled inthe foldingarm 61, adjacent .the lowerends of-the latter; is. a shaft 6.3 having :what will betermed a lower carrierroll 64 fixedly mounted thereon. The shaft 63. provided at one end with a sprocket 65 which is connected by meansof an endlesschain 66 with .a sprocket 67 fixedly secured. to the shaft 18. means of the chain 66, the lower carrier roll 64 will be rotated simultaneously with the rotation of the upper carrier roll 19. f Sli'dably and rotatably extending through the slots'in the enlargements 62Iare the end portions of a weight roller 68 which normally rests against the-lower carrier roll 64. Pivotally mountedon the shaft 21 are apai r of folding arms 69' which are similar in every respect to the folding arms 61. The folding arms- 69' are provided with a lower carrier'rol-l 70" similar to the carrier roll 64, and with a we ight'ro'll 71 similar to the weight roll 68. Thecar-= rier roll 70 is mounted on ashaft 72 whichtis operated from the shaft 21 by-means offa.

The stub shaft 55 is rotated 8O, 81 and 82 and being provided respectively at their upper ends with counterweights 74 although: these counter weights may be idis- V pensed: with if desired; i l During the i rotation f the shaft 41, the; folding arms 61 are reciprocatedby meansof-a pairioftlinks 7 5.

which are pivotally connected a with the arms 61, a and which: are furtherpivotally connected with cranks 7 6 fixedly securedto the endslof the shaft 41! During the rotation of the shaft 48, the folding arms 69, are reciprocated by'means ofa pair of links 77 which are pivotally connectedwith thearms69 and with a pair of cranks78-fixedlysecured to the ends of the shaft48; a

. Mounted inanyosuitablei manneris atank 7 9 which is divided into a plurality: of compartments, eachbeing adapted to contain a liquid to be sprayed on the-cloth during the treatment, thereof. In .thefpresent instance three such compartments are. shown, the compartments being designated by theinumerals with valved discharge pipes 83, 84 and i 85 which are connected with; a common conduit 86.; which ispextendedtabove the; horizontal plane of the chainy 34. =The conduit 86 is conf nected by means of? three-way coupling 87 with a spray pipe 1 88 which extends transversely across the lapparatus betw'eenthe V81: tical planes oft-he, squeeze rolls 10a11d 11 and uppercarrier Troll 22,;and.w.ith a branch 89 which extends at-a, right angle tothe spray pipe88.: Connected withthe -1branch,89 is a spraypipemBO which extends transversely across the [apparatus between 1 the vertical planes of the squeeze rolls, 10 and 11 and the upper carrier; rolla-19'.? The coupling 87 is provided with a three-way valve, 9l'which is adapted to be rotated in orderi Eto establish communication between the conduit 86 i i and the spray pipe-88 and branch ;:89 selectively.

In th'eloperationl of the a-pparatus, a 1 roll of cloth 92 is rotatably supported on standards 'orthe like; such 93,- in proximityyto the forward end of the:apparati'is. Thel ycloth from the roll is threaded between the lower carrier-roll :64: and weight roll 68,- over the upper carrier roll 19, underthe guide roller 42, between the combined feed and squeeze rolls 1 0 and 11, under the gguide roller 49, over the upper, carrierroll 22, and between the lower carrier roll 70 andfweight roll ,71. The

squeeze-roll is properly adjusted tdsnuga t a t u sqiieezv the cloth between the same and the I after[which thepowershaft 8 isflrotated, in a counter-clockwise fdirection as viewed in Figure, 1. Such rotation of I the power l shaft 1 causes the cloth to be moved tomeasure lean "viewed inFigures 1 and 4.

Der-alga; I counter-clockwise movement of the \ppwe'rf shaft, the automatic clutch 32 i ca ses' the' ii'pper ca rrier r011 22 to rotate in a3}mutter-clockwise direction by means of prevented between the" which any 1 slabk j andll. During-this movementthe automatic clutch 23 'reinainsineutral whereby the upper carrier roll 19 serves as a dragonithe cloth between the lower carrier .roll 64 and squeeze rolls and 11;! The dragging actionof the H uppercarrier roll 19 prevents any wrinkling of the cloth without the exertion of anyappreeiable tension thereon. .During this'movement the lower carrierroll 64rema-ins stationary, :due tothe operative connection between the lower carrier roll 64 and upper carrier roll 19. Owingto the operative connection between the lowercarrierroll 7 0 and upper'roll :22, the lower carrier rollTO is rotated during the movement oflthe cloth towards; the left as viewed in the drawing. During this operation, the shifting yoke 46 is manually'moved to a position to disengage the clutch member 45 from the sprocket 43, while the shiftingyoke 52is moved to. engage the clutch member 51 with thesprocket 50.

Owing to *the set positions of the shifting yokes 462L116. 52, the shaft 48 will be rotated,

whilethe shaft 41 remains stationary. The

rotationofthe shaft48 causesaireciprocatinginoveinent of the folding arms 69, due to the, links 77 connecting the same withthe cranks? Ssecured to the ends of the shaft 48. The reciprocating. movement of the folding arms 69 aboutitheirpivots causes thecloth i:

to be deposited in folds withinthe cloth receivingcvat 5. i During this movement, the

folding arms 61 remain stationary. During the time that the cloth is moving towards theleft asviewed-in therdrawings, the valve 91 isadjustedin the position shown in Figure 8in order that the liquid within the eonduit186 may be discharged through the spray pipe 88ylonto thecloth. During this operation,one ofthe valves for the discharge pipes 1 m 83 84 and 85 is opened while the, remaining va v'es are closed. i fp a 1 'Although the operation of the apparatus is rabovezdescribed as passing the cloth under the guide rollers42 and 49, the cloth maybe passed i .over these rollers if a so desired with shaft causes the automatic clutch23 to rotate the upper carrier roll 19, than the same time'the automatic clutchr32 breaks the driving connection for rotating the upper carrier roll 22.: Upon thereversal of the direction of the powershaft S, the positions of the shifting yokes 46 and 52; are reversed irr tras ed provide for the rotation of the shaft *41 and to prevent rotation of the shaft 48. Upon the rotation of theishaft .41, .the foldingarms 61: are reciprocatedabout their pivots owingto the links 7 5- connecting. the same with the cranks 76' secured to the shaft 41. The reciprocation of the folding. arms 61 causes the cloth to be deposited in folds Within the cloth receiving vat. 6. -During the movement "ofthe cloth towards the right. as viewed in the drawing; the valve 91 is shifted to close the spray pipe 88 to the conduit-86 and to establish communication betweenthe conduit 86 and branch 89- in order'rthat the liquid in the conduit may be discharged onto the cloth througlr the spray pipe-90; As the cloth moves towards thecright, thewliquidis squeezed therefroin by the rolls 10 andll and is deposited Within a drip pan 94 disposed beneath the roll 10 and suitably supportedby the beam-2; The cloth is run back and forth through the apparatus: as aforesaid a su'fiicient number oftiines to accomplish the result desired, the valves for the discharge pipes 83, 84 and 85'being openedwan-d closed from time to time as necessary to provide. for the application of the proper solution to*the.cloth through the spray pipes 88 and 90. The cloth'receiving vats .5 and dare provided with valved discharge pipes 95 and 96 respectively in order that the liquid collecting within the vats may be drawn off as desired. i

.It is thought that'thezmany. advantages of a cloth treating apparatus in accordance with this inventionwill' be readily apparent, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described,tit is to be understood the changes in .the size, shape andaarrangement of partsmaybe resorted to, so'long as such changesfall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. I

What I claims is: v

'1. In an apparatus for bleaching fabricin full Width,- open-form, a pair of"reversibly rotatable combined feed an'dsqueeze' rolls for the passage of the fabric therebetween inopposite direction selectively, a: pair of carrier rolls disposed on: opposite sides ofthe combined'feed and squeeze rollsifor the passage of the fabric thereoventa: folding 'arm adjacent each of said-carrier rolls,:a carrier roll carried at the lower-end of eaclrfolding-arm, means for spraying. the fabric after the-same passes the combined 5 feed: and. squeeze rolls, means for'rotating the carrier'roll over which the fabric passes after leaving the combined feed: and squeeze rolls-, means; for'reciprocating the folding arm ajdjacentthe rotating carrier-roll, means for rotating the carrier roll carried by the reciprocating folding arm,

. and avat for receiving the'fabric from there ciprocating'folding arm. I V- v 2. In an apparatus: forbleaching fabric in fu'llWidt-h, open form, aipa-ir of-reversibly rotatable combined feedand squeeze rolls for theipassage'of the fabric therebetweenin opposite directions; selectively, a pair. of carrier rolls disposed on opposite-sides of" the combined feed and squeeze rolls. for the passage of the fabric thereover, a foldingrarm" adj acent each of said carrier rolls, a carrier: roll carried atthe lowerend of each foldingzarm, a; pair ofspray pipes located over. the fabric on opposite sides of the'combinedfeed and squeeze rolls, a liquor conduit. leading to said pipes, avalve in the conduit for admitting liquor to the pipe under whichlthe fabric passes after leaving the. combined L feed and squeeze rolls, means for rotating the carrier roll over which the fabric passes rafter leaving the squeeze roll, means for reciprocating the folding arm adjacent the'rotating carrier roll; means for rotating the carrier roll carried by the reciprocating folding arm,'and a vat for receiving the fabric from the reciprocating folding arm.

Inan apparatus for bleaching fabricin full-Width, open form, a'pa-ir of reversibly rotatable combined feed and squeeze rollsfor the passage of the fabric therebetween in opposite directions selectively,- a pair of carrier rolls disimsed on op posite sides of the combined feed-and squeeze rolls for the passage of the fabric thereover, afolding arm adjacent ea'ch ofsaid carrier rollsaa carrier roll carried at the lower end of each fol'dingarm, a pair ofsprayipipeslocated over the fabric on opposite sides of the'combined feed and squeeze rolls. a liquor conduit leading to said pipes, a valve in the conduit'for admitting liquor to the-"pipe under which the fabric passes aft-erleaving thesqueeze. rolls, aplurality-of liquor tanks, each having avalved disoharge'pipe leading tosaid conduit, means forrotating the carrier'roll overwhichthe fabric passes after leaving the'combined feed and squeeze rolls; means for reciprocating the folding arm adjacent-the rotating carrier rblh an'd a=vatfor receiving the fabric from the reciprocating folding arm.

4. Inanapparatusfor bleaching fabric in full width, open form,=a'pair of reversibly rotatable combined feed and'squeeze rolls for the passage of the fabric therebetwveen in 0-ppositedirect'ions selectively, a pair of carrier rolls disposed'on opposite sides of the combined'feed and squeeze rollsfor the passage of the" fabric thereover. a folding arm adjacent each of said carrier rolls, a carrier ro'll carried-at the lower end of each folding arm, means for spraying. the fabric after the same passes. the combined? feed and squeeze rolls, a sprocket rotatablyunounted with respectto each carrier roll, means for driving said sprocket from the combinedfeed and squeeze rolls, means for clutching the carrier roll over which the fabric passes after leaving the combined feed and squeeze rolls to thesprocket rota-tably ,rnounted with respect to said carrier roll to provide for the rotation of the latter, means for reciprocating the folding arm adjacent the rotating carrier roll, means for rotating the carrier roll carried by the recirocating folding arm, and a vat for receiving the fabricfrom the reciprocating folding arm:

5. In an apparatus for; bleaching fabric it infun Width p form, a P ir ofreversibly rotatable combined feed and squeeze rolls :for thepassage of the fabric therebetween in v opposite directions selectively, a pair of car rier rolls disposed on opposite sides of the combined feed and squeeze rolls for the passage of the fabric thereover, a folding arm adjacent each of said carrier rolls, a carrier roll carried at the lower end of each folding arm, means for spraying the fabric after passingthe combined feed and squeeze rolls, a sprocket rotatably mounted with respect to each carrier roll, means for driving said sprockets from the combined "feed and i V squeeze rolls, an automatic clutch for each of 7 a said carrier rolls and thesproclrets rotatably mounted with respect thereto, said clutches operating to rotate the carrier roll over *whichthe fabric passes after leaving the combined feed and squeeze rolls,means for reciprocating the folding arm adjacent the rotatingvcarrierroll, means for rotating the carrier roll carried by the reclprocatmg arm, and a vat for recelving the fabric from the reciprocating folding arm.

j 6. In an apparatus for bleaching fabric in full width, open form, a pair of reversibly rotatable combinedfeed and squeeze rolls for the passage of the fabric therebetween in opposite directions selectively, a pair of carrier rolls disposed on opposite sides of the squeeze rolls for the passage of the fabric thereover, a folding arm adjacenteach of said carrier rolls, a carrier roll carriedat the lower end of each folding arm,means for sprayin the fabric after the same passes the combined feed and squeeze rolls, means for rotating the carrier rolls over which the fabric passes after leaving the combined feed and squeeze rolls, a pair of guide rolls interposed between the carrier rolls and combined feed and squeeze rolls, a pair of shafts i on which said guide rolls freely revolve,

means operatively connecting the guide roll shafts with the combined feed and squeeze rollsto provide for the rotation of the guide rolls, cranks carried by the guide roll shafts andoperatively connected withthe folding arms respectively to provide for the recipro cation of the folding arms upon the rotation of the guide roll shafts, means for breaking the operative connection selectively for ro tating the guide roll shafts, and a vat for. a receiving the fabric from the reciprocating folding arms.

I. In an apparatus'for bleaching fabricin full width, open form, a-pair of reversibly rotatable combined feed" and squeeze rolls for thep v I in opposite directions selectively, a. pair of upper carrier rolls disposedon opposite sides of thecombined feed and squeeze rolls for .assageor the ffabric "ther ebetween the passage ofthlefabric tliereoverfiai fold of each folding means for sprayingthe. fabric after f the f same passes the combined 111g arimadjacent; each 'of'saidfl'carrier rolls, i a lower carrier roll carriedlat the lower end feed: and squeeze i'olls,means for rotating the upper jroll over which the fabric, passes after leaving the squeeze'rolls, span ,of chains op-f. erativelyconnecting each efthe upper carrier rolls with a lOWer carrier roll to provide for the rotationof the upper and lower can 'rier rolls in unison, means for reciprocating the folding arm adj acent the rotating carrier I roll, and a vat for receiving the fabric from [the reciprocating folding arm.

8. In an apparatus for bleaching fabric in a full width, open form, a pair of r-eversibly' rotatable combined feed and squeeze rolls for the passage of the fabric therebetween in op posite directions selectively, apa'ir of carrier rolls disposed on opposite sides of the com- 7 bined feed and squeeze rollsfor the passage of the fabric thereover, a folding arm adjacent each of said carrier rolls, a carrier roll carried at the lower end of each folding arm,

means for spraying the fabric after the same 7 passes the combined feed and squeeze rolls, means for rotating the carrier roll overwhich the fabric passes after leaving the combined feed and squeeze rolls, means for reciprocating the folding arm adjacent the rotating carrier roll, means for rotating the carrier roll carried by the reciprocating folding arm,

aweight roll carriedvbyeach folding arm for r bined feed and squeeze roll-s for the passage of the fabric thereover, a pair of folding arms pivotally mounted with respect to eachcarri-er roll, a carrier roll carried by the lower ends ofeacli pair of folding arms, a vertically movableweight roll carried by each pair of folding arms for abutment with the carrier roll carried thereby, means for spraying the ffabric after passing the combined feed and squeeze rolls, means for rotating the carrier roll over which the fabric passes after leav-. ing the combined feed an'df squeeze rolls,

rolls disposedon oppositesides of the commeans for reci 'irocating the folding arms ad-I i F jacent the rotating carrier roll, and a vat for receiving the fabricfrom the reclprocatmg folding arms. i V 1 10. In an apparatus forbleaching fabric in 

